Tech

How to Stream Your Games Live

With great power comes great responsibility. So, if you have serious gaming skills, then you’re pretty much contractually obligated to show the rest of us how it’s done.

It’s not just about bragging rights. Live-stream gaming has become immensely popular, with the live streaming site Twitch getting more than 44+ million unique viewers per month, each of whom watches an average of 100 minutes of video per day. This is due largely to the 600,000 unique broadcasts aired each month.

These numbers are set to explode even more with the upcoming release of the Xbox One and PlayStation 4, both of which have announced partnerships with Twitch to make live streaming even simpler.

In this tutorial, we’re going to show you how to use the popular broadcasting program XSplit to live-stream your games on Twitch. XSplit is versatile, allowing users to edit their streams with multiple camera shots, graphical overlays, chroma key and picture-in-picture effects — but it’s certainly not the only software on the market.

What You’ll Need

A computer with a decent CPU, at least an i5 processor and 4GB of RAM.

A solid Internet connection. Upload speeds of 3-5mb/s are preferable.

If you’re trying to build a fan base, a webcam can really improve the quality and intimacy of your live stream.

The video below will give you a basic overview of the process. Then, check out our tutorial for a more detailed look.

Setting Up XSplit

Add a Stream Channel

Once you download and register XSplit, you’ll want to start by adding your first channel. In the top left corner, go to Broadcast > Edit Channels and then click Add. Select the option for Twitch.

Add a Source

If you’re using a PC, click Add and then decide if you want to capture a screen region of your desktop or, if you have an XSplit Personal or Premium account, if you want a direct feed via the game source. Select your option.

Those of you who want screen region captures will then have to select the region of the screen you’d like to stream, while those using the game source method will have to enter the .exe of the game you’d like to capture.

Note on the game source method: This will only work for games that utilize the DirectX or OpenGL platform.

For those gamers who are using a console to stream, go to Add > Add Camera, and then select the device you’d like to use.

Adjusting Audio Settings

XSplit will accept two different audio sources: the default playback device that comes out of your speaker and the selected microphone. You can select the microphone under Tools > General Settings > General Tab > Audio.

Then manually adjust the volume levels until it sounds comfortable. If you can hear the audio over your speakers, your audience can hear it, too.

Adjust Your Broadcast Settings

Next, you’ll want to check your broadcast settings. Go to Broadcast, click the gear symbol on the right-hand side for your Twitch channel, click the Wizard button and then follow the two steps.

The recommended settings will do just fine, but feel free to adjust them based on your own preferences. You can also check out the tips in the XSplit community forum.

How to Be Awesome While Live Streaming

Now that you’ve finished the easy part, let’s talk about how to live stream well. It doesn’t matter how great a gamer you are; if you want to gain a following, you’ll need to do more than just play. Here are a few tips for doing it right:

Utilize social networks. This isn't surprising, but the best way to expand your reach is to use the channels you’re already on. Don’t forget to share out the link to your stream.

Use a webcam. It seems silly, but seeing a face can really make a live stream more enjoyable. Don’t forget to fix yourself up beforehand, ya bum.

Be consistent. You will get more viewers if you’re logging on at the same time every day. Just like television, keep it on a schedule.

Be engaging. Remember that watching someone else play a game can be kind of boring. Make sure your stream is fun to watch. Invite audience members to participate by suggesting tactics or voting on choices in the game, have guests Skype in or join you, and treat your viewers like you would your friends. A little bit of joking around goes a long way.

Have you set up your own live stream channel? Have a channel you love to watch? Give us a link in the comments below.

Mashable
is a global, multi-platform media and entertainment company. Powered by its own proprietary technology, Mashable is the go-to source for tech, digital culture and entertainment content for its dedicated and influential audience around the globe.